Work-guide for wire-stitching machines.



A. H. MAYNARD. WORK GUIDE FOR WIRE STITCHING MACHINES. APPLICATION FILED JAN. 13. l9l6.

Patented July 16, 1918.

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A. H. MAYNARD.

WORK GUIDE FOR WIRE STITCHING MACHINES.

APPLICATION FILED JAN. 13, 1916- 1,272,694.

Patented July 16, 1918.

2 SHEETS$HEET 2.

- ms PETERS w nmnnnuou WASNI n f. a

ARTHUR; H. MAYNARD; or WARWICK, niionn rsrnnn, ASSIGNOR T'oBo'srbN WIRE ST-ITCI-IER COMPANY, onronrnnnio, MAINE, A CORPORATION or MAINE.

WORK-GUIDE non WI'nE-srf'roHIi'I-G MACHINES.

Specification of Letters Patent? Pat'ented July 16; 1918.

Application filed-January 13, 1916. Serial *No 71,880:

Tooll whom it. mayco ncerm- Be it known that I,-ARTHUR H. MAYNARD, a citizen of the United States, residing, at \Varwick, in the county of Kent -State-of Rhode' Island, have inventedcertain new and useful Improvements-in Work-Guides for ire-Stitching Machines, of which the following is a specification.-

My invention is an improved-worlr-guide for use on wire-stitching machines employed in stitchingtogether the flaps of cartons in the manufacture of knock-down-boXes= or similar articles.- The object" of my improvement is to provide means for guiding the cartonblanks through the machine in-position to=be operated upon by; the stitchingmechanism while allowing the work to be fed continuously forward, without reversing the direction of its food, whereby thestitching operation may be accomplished more conveniently and expeditiously.

The invention is fully described in the following specification, illustrated by the accompanying drawings, in 'which' like re f erence characters designate like parts.

In the drawings a v Figure 1 is'a side elevation ofa stitchingmachine showing my improved work'guide applied to use in-connection therewith;

Fig. 2 is a perspective'view of-the workguide; and

Fig. 3 is a longitudinal-elevation ofthe same.

Referring first to Fig; 1, I have here illu's= trated a well-known type of wire-stitcher or stapling-machine as employed-forstitch ing or fastening together sheets of cardboard in the inanui'actureof collapsiblecartons'or similar articles. Itis to be understood, however, that my present improvement'is adapted for different styles of machines fromtha-t here shown and is also-applicabletdother character ofwork than that herein described.-

The machine here illustrated comprises essentially the stitche-r-head A supporting a bonnet B, inwhiclr-are-mountedthe' staple-forming and 'drivingmechanisms; and a work-support or table T arrangedtherebe neath. Mounted rotatively onthe head A' -is a supply-spool V from which the wire 'w for forming; the staples delivers-over a rib bon likeguide- G, and thence leads down through the bonnet B. The staple-stitching mechanism contained. within the bonnet B may be of anypreferred arrangement, such for instanceasthat described in United States Letters Patent No. 970,461, granted to Thomas A, B'riggs,-'-Sept. 20',- 1-910,-=but this partof the machine not being essential to'an understanding: of the present invention it willnot be hereindescribed indetail." Sufficetostate that the machine operatesin-the well-known manner to cutthe wire 'w into lengths which are formed-into-staples to be driven through the work and clenched thereagainst to secure-the parts together;

As before explained, my improved work guide is intended for use particularly in stitchingt'ogetherthe fiapsorsides-of collapsible carton blanks which are adapted to beiolded flat or openedout in rectangu lar shapes Referring tdFig. 1, the blankG for the carton comprises the four flapis'or sides-c, o, c and o which=are hereshow'n as folded-together in a substantially flat-,tubular form. The flap 0 corresponds in dimem sions to the "side 0 and the side 0 to the side '0 so that-when the blank is-openedout they assume positions oppositee'ach othert'o form thesides and ends ofthe. carton. That is to say, the flap 0 i's fo'lded back at right angles to the'fiap'c and the flap-'0 is then'bent on the scored line indicated i at m; Fig; 1',to cause it to stand 1 parallel with and opposite the side c. The flap 0 is then bent into o-' sition parallel with the side 0 and extending between 'the' sides 0 and 0 In this way a rectangular figure is'fo'rmed with the flaps constitutingfthe sidesof the box, lacking the bottom andtop It will be-noted that the cardboard of the blank G'isscored at w to adaptit to be folded atthis point to pro vide a relativelyv narrow flap 0* by: which theside c' is attached to the side 0 The fiapc is employed as a sort ofcorner-stay, being adapted'to overlap the edge of the side 0 and serveas a means-for fastening it to the side 0 For thispurpose'themarginaledge of the side-c isusually stitched to the flap c with wirestaplesspaced a slight distance apart along theseame The essential feature-of the present invention: is

structed as follows:

Referring to Fig. 2, the work-guide comprises essentially a lower support or plate D adapted to be supported in spaced relation above the horizontal table T of the machine, as shown-in Fig. 1, with its inner end di reotly beneath the staple-driving mechanism of the-bonnet B, see also Fig. 3. At this end the upper face of the plate D is provided with two crescent-shaped grooves or depressions (Z, (Z spaced slightly apart on the median line of the plate, and adapted to receive the legs of the staple as they are driven down through the work to bend them over and clench their ends against the under side thereof. Secured to the longitudinal edge of the plate D at its forward end is a cleat or side-rest E of relatively greatei thickness than the plate. The forward end of the cleat E is preferably rounded off on its inner side at e to avoid a sharp corner which might interfere with the blank as it is fed into the guide as later explained. The cleat E might be constructed as an integral part of the plate D, but for the sake of economy in manufacture it is preferably made separate therefrom and attached thereto by any suitable means such, for i11- stance, as the screws 8, 8 having their heads countersunk into the under side of the plate D as shown more particularly in Fig. 3. Let into the top of the cleat E, so that its upper face comes flush therewith, is an overlying top-plate F which extends clear across the width of the-plate D throughout the central portion thereof. The top-plate F is secured to the cleat E by the rivets 1", 9", shown in Fig. 3 or through any other suit able means, and is supported thereby in parallel relation to the plate D, overlying its upper face. The rear portion of the plate F is preferably inclined upwardly at a slight angle to its forward, horizontal portion by being bent on a line coincident with the end of the cleat E. At its rear or inner end the plate F is bent upwardly at rightangles to its main, horizontal portion to form a vertical web or flange by means of which the whole guide is attached to the head A of the machine. Referring to Figs. 1 and 3, two screws 4;, 11 extend through suitable holes 7', f in the flange f, see Fig. 2, and are screwed into the side of the bonnet B to fasten the guide in place on the head A. At the right-hand, forward end of the plate F is an extension or lip f bent upwardly at an angle, as shown more particularly in Figs. 2 and 3, and serving as a guiding-element to direct the flap c of the blank C under the plate F as it is fed through the guide. The lip 7' extends approximately half way across the width of the plate F so as to clear the edge of the flap 0 0f the blank 0 which feeds across the top of the upperplate at the left-hand side, as-shown in Fig. 1. 7

Near its center the left-hand portion of the plate F is slit across at f and then rearwardly at f to the bend of the upstanding flange The slitted portion f of the plate F thus cut away is bent or curled upwardly as shown in Fig. 3 to form an en trance for the side 0 of the blank to direct it down under the stitclung-mechanism of the bonnet B. That is to say, the inclined apron-like portion f of the plate F acts as a guard or deflector to guide the flap 0 in under the staple-driving devices in proper relation thereto so as to prevent it from striking against the side of the bonnet and being obstructed thereby during the feeding of the blank through'the machine.

The method of constructing the workguide in several sections as above described makes for economy in manufacture and also renders the lower portion D detachable to allow for its replacement or the substitution of other clencher-plates of different form. For instance, with other types of machines different forms of clencher-means might be required which could be constructed as a part of the attachable. plate D or arranged to be fitted thereto. It will be obvious, however, that the method of constructing the parts of the workguide is not important, but could be varied slightly without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention. For in-- stance, the two plates D and F might be made in one piece from sheet-metal folded or bent along the side. lVith this construction the folded-over portion of the upper plate F would be extended along the side of the lower plate D clear to its front edge. while being made relatively narrow on the top to correspond to the dimensions of the cleat E; That is to say. a forwardly projectiug strip from the upper, folded plate F would serve the same purpose as the solid cleat or side-rest E.

Having now described the constriu-tion and arrangement of my improved workguide its method of operation will next be explained. The carton blank C is placed in the machine with the flaps or sides 0, c resting on the work-table T, while the flaps 0 and 0 are bent upwardly at a) and At theright-hand side of the table Tis a sideregister or guide H which is adjustable in ulate their position-in relation tothe stitchiug mecham'smz of the machine; The folded edge m -of the blankC isfirst placedagainst the guide H and as the blank is pushed forward toward the head A the flap 0 is folded over on topof the cleat or side-rest E while-the flapc is rested upon the lower plateD; This will bring the marginaledge ofthe-flap-c directly above the narrow flap 0-", which is joined to the edge'of the'flap c, sothat these two portions of the blank will be brought into proper relation to be fastened together as they feed under the sta pling-mechanism. The blank C is now pushed; forward through thework-guide and as its leadin 'end meets the edge of the top-plate-Fthfe ap 0 will be guided by the rest onto the top thereof, while theflap 0 will'be deflected'by the lip Pin under the plate-F. In otherwords, the folded flap 0 will ride along-therest or cleatEont-o the top of'the plate F, while the flap 0 will feed along the top-of'the lower-plate D underneaththe plate F. The flap c -naturally hasa' tendency to spring upwardly from its folded edge 00* and it is toovercomethis tendency and prevent the flap from strik ing against the front edge of the plate F that the guiding-lip f is provided. In brief, the lip f acts as a guard to deflect the flap 0 downwardly to insure its passing below the plate F.

As the blank C is fed still farther for ward inthe work-guide the leading edge of the flap 0 will slide under the inclined apron 7, as shown-in Fig. 1.. Through this means the flap 0- is directed downwardly under the rear end ofthe plate F to cause it to pass out through the guide below the stitching-mechanism on the bonnet B. In this manner theflap 0. is. brought into positionunder-the staple-driving devices with itsmarginal edge resting on the fastening flap 0 Now, as the machine is operated in the usual', manner the wire staples will be driven down through the overlapping porti'on of the flaps c and'c to stitch them to-. gether. As the staples S are driven through thew-ork, as shown in Fig. 3, the ends of their legs are met by the plate Dand received" in the -slots (Z,.(Z'to cause them tovbe bent over and clenchedinto place against the under side of the flap 0". As the stapledriving mechanism descends on the upper flap 0 it presses it down against the flap c which. in turn, is pressed: down against the plate D. The plate D" is therefore forced down against the under flap 0 of the blank C to hold the latter against the table 1" and prevent the whole blank from being displaced; After the pressure of the stapledriving mechanism is removed, the plateD springs upwardly again to-clear from the underfl'ap -0' 'of-"the-ldlank so that the latter is their free tO'bB fed forward again into position for receiving the next staple. In this way the inner end of the-plate I9 acts as the fixed clencher-means for bending and clenching theends of the staples into place whileholding the blank G in fixedi position during the stitching operation: and also preventing the machine from stitching clear throughthe und'er-flapc. It will thus be seenthat my iinprov-ed workguide enables the operator-to feed-the blanks continuously forward through the-machine to stitch the edges of the flaps together without reversing the direction of thefeed. In brief, the work-guide acts to direct the flaps of" the blank into-proper position-in relation-to each other; and to thestitching-mech anismwhile also preventing the- HHPS from springing up out of place and being obstructed by the parts of the machine.

' I am aware-that it has before been proposed to employ awork=guide-on stitching machines-adapted to provide for a continuous feeding of tubular blanks under the 'stitching-Inechanismto fasten their" marginal edges together. It Wlll be understood, therefore, that I do not claim such aworkguidebroadly, but only the novel arrange ment of the device as herein shown anddescribedi It is believed: that the present ar rangement is an improvement OXQP'PIBV'lOHS devices employed for likepurposes in that a more complete control is maintained on the blank as itis fed through the-'machi'ne and therefore less care or attention is re-' quired of the operator; In other words, the present device is intended; particularly to insure a proper feedingofthe blanks to the stitchingnnechanism of. the machine, without requiringparticular skill or -care onthe part ofjthe-operator.

Vt'hat. I claim is: i

1.' In a work-guide for wire-stitchingniachines, the combination with a lower hori-' zontal work-support, of an ;upper plate overlying the support in parallel spaced relation thereahove andjoinedthereto along its longitudinal side, said plate bent upwardly at its rearward end'to form a vertical flange extending laterally across the plate atrightangles to its lt'ingitudinal sideto providea fasteningmeans for attaching the workguide to the machine.

2. In a'work-guide'for wire-stitchingmat chines, the combination with a lower-horizontal work support; of an upper plate over lying; the support in spaced relation thereabove and joined thereto along its longitudinal side, said plate formed w-ith" a vertical, flange extending laterally across its rearward end to provide a fastening means for attaching it tothe-machineand having a cut out portion extendingacross a portion of its width' to guide the sen; downwardly against the rearward end of the lower suport.

p 3. In a work-guide for Wire stitching niachines, the combination with a lower horizontal plate, of a top-plate spaced above and overlying the lower plate, said top-plate joined to the lower plate along its longitudinal edge and provided with a slitted portion inclined upwardly from its horizontal plane to form a guard for directing the work down under the rear end of the top-plate after it feeds across the front portion thereof.

4:. In a work-guide for wire-stitching machines, the combination with a lower horizontal clencher-plate, of a cleat attached to a longitudinal edge of said plate and ex tendin rearwardly from the forward end of sai plate, and atop-plate secured at one side to the top of the cleat to overlie the 'clencher-plate in spaced relation therewith,

said top-plate bentupwardly at its rearward end to form a vertical flange extending laterally thereacross to provide a means for fastening the guide to the machine.

5. In a work-guide forwire-stitching machines, the combination with a lower horizontal clencher-plate, of a cleat attached to said plate along its longitudinal edge, and a top-plate extending from the side of the cleat to overlie the clencher-plate in spaced relation thereto, said top-plate formed with an opening at its side andhaving an inclined apron bent upwardly therefrom to act as a guard to deflect the work down into position above the clencher-plate.

6. In a workuide for wire-stitching 1nachines, the combination with a lower horizontal plate, of a top-plate spaced above and overlying the lower plate, said top-plate joined to the lower plate along its longitudinal edge and bent upwardly at the rear to provide a vertical webfor attaching it to the machine, one side of the plate being slitted laterally and then rearwardly to form a cut out apron which is bent upwardly from the main plane of the plate to provide an inclined guard for directing the work down under the rear end of the top-plate.

7 In a work-guide for wire-stitching machines, the combination with a horizontal clencher-plate provided with staple-receiving grooves at its rearward end, of a topplate spaced above and overlying the central portion of the clencher-plate, said topplate joined to the clencher-plate along its longitudinal edge and cut away laterally from its side across a part of its width to provide an opening for receiving the work to pass it down under the rear portion of the top-plate into position above the staple-receiving grooves on the clencher-plate.

S. In a work-guide for wire-stitching machines, the combination of two' horizontal plates spaced one above the other andjoined together at the side along a portion of their longitudinal edges, the upper overlying plate being formed with a laterally-extending vertical web at its rear and having an upwardly inclined guiding lip projecting from its forward end across a part of the width thereof, the longitudinal side of said upper plate being slitted laterally and then rearwardly to provide a cut out'apron which is bent upwardly to form an inclined guard for deflecting the work in under the rear portion of the plate.

9. In a work-guide for wire-stitching machines, the combination with a lower horizontal plate, of a top-plate spaced above and overlying the central portion of the horizontal plate, said top-plate joined to the lower plate along its longitudinal edge and slitted laterally and rearwardly at its side to provide a cut out apron which is bent upwardly to form an inclined guard to deflect the work down under the rear end of the top-plate, and an extension on the forward end of the topplate bentupwardly to provide a guiding lip to direct one side of the work under the front edge of the topplate.

a stitcher head for fastening together the flaps of carton blanks, the combination of,

a horizontal clencher-plate arran ed with its rearward end beneath the stitclier head, and a top-plate spaced above and overlying the 'clencher-plate, said top-plate joined to the clencher-plate along its longitudinal edge and attached to the stitcher-head at its rearward end to support the parts in operative relation thereto, and said top-plate cut away on its side across a portion of its width to provide an opening through, which the work is fed to bring it into position beneath the stitcher-head.

11, In a wire-stitching machine having a stitcher-head for fastening together the flaps of carton blanks,-the combination of a horizontal 'clencher-plate arranged with its rearward end beneath the stitcher-head, and a top-plate spaced above and overlying a portion of the clencher-plate with its longitudinal edge joined thereto at one side, said top-plate secured to the side of the stitcher-head at its rearward end to support the parts in operative relation to the stitcher-head and provided with an opening in its side and having an inclined apron projecting upwardl from said opening to direct the work down under the stitcherhead.

12. In a wire-stitching machine having a stitcher-head, the combination of a horizontal clencher-plate arranged beneath the stitcher-head and extending forwardly therefrom,'and a top-plate spaced above and overlying the central portion of the e1encherthe work under the stitcher-head as it is fed 10 plate, said top-plate joined to the cleneherthereto.

plate along its longitudinal edge and formed In testimony whereof I afiix my signature with1 an upstanding flangg attached to the in presence of two Witnesses.

stitc ier-head to support t e parts in opera- T tive relation therewith, said top-plate slitted ARTHUR MAYA laterally and rearwardly at one side With \Vitnesses:

the out out portion providing an apron bent MINNIE B. LooMIs,

upwardly at its front to adapt it to deflect HERBERT B. HORTON.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Gommissloner of Patents. Washington, D. C. 

